How to Make Author Anonymous in Word
In academic writing, maintaining anonymity is crucial, especially when peer-reviewing or submitting articles for publication. Microsoft Word offers various features that can help you achieve this anonymity. This article will guide you through the steps to make author anonymous in Word, ensuring your document remains confidential and unbiased.
Step 1: Remove Author Information from Header and Footer
One of the first things you should do is remove any author information from the header and footer sections of your document. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open your Word document.
2. Go to the “View” tab and click on “Header” or “Footer” to access these sections.
3. Delete any text that contains your name, affiliation, or contact information.
4. Close the header or footer section by clicking on the “Close Header and Footer” button.
Step 2: Remove Author Information from the Title
The title of your document should also be anonymous. To achieve this, follow these steps:
1. Go to the “Insert” tab and click on “Page Number” to open the Page Number dialog box.
2. In the “Numbering” section, select “Format Page Number.”
3. In the “Number Format” tab, uncheck the “Include chapter number” box.
4. In the “Format” button, click on “Numbering” and select “None” to remove any numbering.
5. Click “OK” to close the dialog boxes.
Step 3: Remove Author Information from the Table of Contents
If your document includes a table of contents, make sure it does not reveal your authorship. To remove author information from the table of contents, follow these steps:
1. Go to the “References” tab and click on “Table of Contents.”
2. In the “Table of Contents” dialog box, click on “Options.”
3. In the “Formatting” section, uncheck the “Show page numbers” box.
4. Click “OK” to close the dialog boxes.
Step 4: Remove Author Information from the Document Properties
The document properties in Word may contain your name and other identifying information. To remove this information, follow these steps:
1. Go to the “File” tab and click on “Info.”
2. Click on “Properties” and then “Advanced Properties.”
3. In the “Summary” tab, delete any information that identifies you, such as your name, email address, or organization.
4. Click “OK” to close the dialog boxes.
Step 5: Use a Cover Letter
To ensure complete anonymity, consider using a cover letter to submit your document. In the cover letter, provide all necessary information, such as the title of your document, abstract, and any other relevant details. This way, your authorship remains confidential until the review process is complete.
By following these steps, you can make author anonymous in Word, ensuring your document remains confidential and unbiased throughout the peer-review or publication process.
